SubaruOutback2022Overview/subaru/outback/2022/base/

2022 Subaru Outback

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2022 Outback.

Positioned within Subaru's long-running Outback lineage, the 2022 model year is defined mechanically by a 4.8-quart oil capacity running 0W-20 API SN lubricant, while its consumer record shows 454 owner complaints and four recalls, with visibility and wiper performance emerging as the most frequently cited issue. Set against the model's documented 1995–2026 complaint history, those figures sit well below the 2019 peak of 1,029 complaints and well above the 1995 low of just two. For researchers tracking the Outback's reliability arc, the 2022 entry falls roughly in the middle of the range—distant from both the cleanest early year and the worst recent one, and useful as a midpoint reference rather than an outlier.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 API SNOEM · verified
Lug nut torque89.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 - Enhanced Flooded Battery · 620 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 - Enhanced Flooded Battery · 620 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size225/65R17 102HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.3 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight3649 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/54

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Outback of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.8–6.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.80 sec — 2022 Wilderness
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2022Wilderness 2.4L Turbo F-45.80 sec14.60 sec260 hpAWD
2022Wilderness 2.4L Turbo F-45.80 sec14.40 sec260 hpAWD
2022Wilderness 2.4L Turbo F-46.10 sec14.70 sec260 hpAWD
2023Touring 2.5L F-48.60 sec16.70 sec182 hpAWD
2020Onyx Edition XT 2.4L Turbo F-46.10 sec14.80 sec260 hpAWD
2020Touring XT 2.4L Turbo F-46.30 sec14.80 sec260 hpAWD
2020Touring XT 2.4L Turbo F-46.30 sec14.90 sec260 hpAWD
2020Touring 2.5L F-48.50 sec16.70 sec182 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 0W-20 API SN engine oil, Subaru Extra MT is recommended. in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidSubaru CVT Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity12.4 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidSubaru CVT Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity12.6 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear OilSubaru Extra MT is recommended.
Differential Gear OilSubaru Extra MT is recommended.

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts47.9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.93-1.05 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Standard BCI Group Number47 - Enhanced Flooded Battery
Standard BCI Cranking Performance620 cca

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 18.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 100.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.3
Minimum Pad Thickness0.06" in
Minimum Pad Thickness0.06" in
Solid Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.023; Rear: 0.59

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inspect ball joint dust cover. Step 3: Replace ball joint if any looseness is detected during step 1. Step 4: Replace ball joint dust cover if any damage is noted during visual inspection of step 2
Maximum Rotor Runout — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install Lug Nuts88.5 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1All Bolts in order13 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90-95°7.4 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.8 ft. lbs., Step 2: 73.8 ft. lbs., Step 3: Loosen all Bolts 360°. Step 4: 14.8 ft. lbs., Step 5: 31.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: 98-102°, Step 7: Bolts 1 & 2: 98-102°, Step 8: Bolts 3-6: 48-52°14.8 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.8 ft. lbs., Step 2: 73.8 ft. lbs., Step 3: Loosen 360°, Step 4: 14.8 ft. lbs., Step 5: 31.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: 98-102°, Step 7: Bolts 1 & 2: 98-102°, Step 8: Bolts 3-6: 48-52°14.8 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
121.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-35°21 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Attach Cylinder Head Bank Side 1 and Bank Side 2 together., Step 226 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In the Subaru Outback lineage, the 2022 model sits after a sharp dip in complaints (291 in 2021) and before a dramatic plunge to 85 complaints in 2023, indicating that 2022 experienced a modest rebound to 454 complaints—a level higher than the post‑2020 average but still well below the peak years of 2017‑2019 (917‑1,029 complaints). Recall activity has been relatively stable since 2018, with 3‑4 recalls per year; 2022 matches this pattern at four recalls, mirroring the 2021 figure and showing no upward trend. Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) remain high across the recent era, with 382 in 2022—slightly below the 2020‑2021 peak (597 and 465) but comparable to the 2018‑2020 range, suggesting ongoing, though not escalating, service advisories. The top complaint categories for 2022 are dominated by Visibility/Wiper issues (235 reports), followed by “Unknown or Other” (59) and minor Electrical and Visibility items, while crash‑related complaints are low (10) and fire complaints are minimal (4). **Takeaway:** 2022’s complaint count is higher than the immediate surrounding years but still far lower than the late‑2010s peaks, and recall frequency is stable; therefore, the 2022 Outback remains a reasonably safe used‑car choice, though prospective buyers should budget for potential visibility‑system service.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
382
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
454
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 454 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper235
Unknown Or Other59
Electrical System25
Visibility24
Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper13
Power Train9
Forward Collision Avoidance7
Engine6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V473000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm)Reported 01/07/2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU). Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine wiring harness and ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer…

22V712000Visibility:WindshieldReported 22/09/2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Impreza and Outback vehicles. The incorrect paint clearcoat may have been applied, which can cause the windshield to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle. As… Remedy: Subaru will offer owners a vehicle exchange or repurchase, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 21, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 382 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
15-246-19R2026-06-29Electrical SystemThis Service Information Bulletin outlines a new required procedure to follow when…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-81-21R2026-06-24Fuel/Propulsion SystemThis bulletin announces design changes made to the fuel injector and fuel pipe in…
16-159-262026-06-22Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Outback. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2022 Outback take?

4.8 qt of Subaru API SN/SN Plus GL-5 Synthetic 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2022 Outback have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.